This year’s Strictly Come Dancing will not feature any same-sex celebrity or professional pairings, according to reports.
Since professionals Johannes Radabe and Graziano di Prima made history by dancing together on the BBC One show in 2019, each of the previous five episodes has had at least one same-sex coupling.
However, the one-off performance elicited 189 viewer complaints, a statistic judge Bruno Tonioli described as’sad’ at the time, while many defended the revolutionary moment.
Ex-boxer Nicola Adams and professional Katya Jones became the first same-sex couple in 2020, although the former had to end the relationship after testing positive for Covid four weeks later.
Radebe and famous chef John Whaite were the first same-sex coupling to make it to the finals a year later, and comedian Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer followed suit in 2022.
Last year, all-male duo Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin advanced to the final, but this year, according to the Mail on Sunday, there will be no same-sex couples.
A source told the publication that producers took the decision a month ago.
The insider went on to say that while the BBC “wants to be seen as inclusive and progressive,” they reasoned that “not everyone is going to like.” Same-sex pairings
This follows a run of issues for the popular ballroom dancing show, with several of its professional dancers accused of mistreating celebrities in the practice room.
Last year, Di Prima, 30, and former Love Island star Zara McDermott, 27, were the fifth couple evicted.
Months later, it was claimed that there were ‘physical confrontations’ between the couple, including charges that he ‘kicked and hit’ her.
McDermott said in a statement posted on Instagram that there are ‘videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch’, while Di Prima stated: ‘I deeply regret the actions that led to my departure from Strictly.’
Talking to the Daily Mail, the Italian said that he’s ‘not a monster’ and ‘not an abusive man’, adding: ‘I wasn’t meaning to kick her. I’d never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor.’
Meanwhile, Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, 50, quit Strictly last year while partnered up with Giovanni Pernice citing ‘medical reasons’.
Amanda later claimed her 33-year-old dancing partner was ‘mean’ and ‘terrible’, accusing Pernice of ‘bullying’ her.
The national network launched an investigation into Giovanni, who has denied the charges and stated he hopes to vindicate his name.
She also alleged that Giovanni exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature.’
A representative for Giovanni sad at the time: ‘Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.
‘We would urge people to wait for the review’s conclusion and not to pay heed to these very serious and defamatory allegations that have no evidence in support of them.’
The BBC has now implemented extra welfare safeguards for the 2024 series of Strictly, including the presence of a chaperone at each training session.
The new series, starring Pete Wicks from Towie and Sarah Hadland from Miranda, will premiere on September 14th, according to social media.
They will compete for the Glitterball Trophy alongside comedian Chris McCausland, Love Island finalist Tasha Ghouri, Go Compare vocalist Wynne Evans, and JLS singer JB Gill.
Joining them on the dancefloor are DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, former footballer Paul Merson, 80s music icon Toyah Willcox, BBC Morning Live presenter Dr Punam Krishan, and former England hockey player Sam Quek MBE.
In upcoming weeks, Gladiators athlete Montell Douglas, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, and The X Factor champion Shane Ward will appear on TV.
Source My Celebrity Life.
